Five injured in Sikh-Dera followers clash, 10 Premis arrested

Barnala, Aug 14 (UNI) Five people were injured when Sikh activists and Dera Sacha Sauda followers clashed at Divana village of this district here today.

According to SSP Shiv Kumar, police arrrested ten Dera followers, known as 'Premis', and seized two of their vehicles which were full of 'sharp-edged' weapons.

The villagers have blocked the traffic on Barnala-Divana main road demanding arrest of all the Dera followers, who were present at the time of clash.

The incident occurred when activists of Sikh organisation, ''Ek Noor Khalsa'' today marched to the venue where a Dera follower Jagdev Singh had organised the 'bhog' ceremony in memory of his mother. When the Sikh activists reached the venue, the Dera followers who were apparently braced to face them, pelted stones on them.

In the clash, four Sikh activists and one Dera follower were injured.

The ''Ek Noor Khalsa'' activists then allegedly set ablaze two vehicles and damaged four vehicles belonging to the Dera followers.